Working on an orthopedic trauma unit can be quite interesting. Of course there are the total hip and knee replacements that seem to plague such a floor, however, some of the other reasons patients find themselves there cause one to examine life a little deeper.
Last week I helped care for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer in her twenties. Unfortunately, this diagnosis has left her with a complete amputation of her leg, half of her pelvis missing, and completely dependent on those around her for help. Among all of these horrific circumstances she is wondering how she is going to mother her two children under the age of three. Amazingly, this woman still offers a sweet 'thank you' each time a doctor or nurse leaves the room.
What kind of words can you offer someone whose life has taken a dramatic turn in just a few weeks?
Or how about the man who no longer has a sacrum because of the disease that has ravaged his body? Not long ago he was running around with his children, coaching sports teams and enjoying life. Now he is flat on his back with a feeding tube, catheter, colostomy, numerous IVs running, and all of his privacy and independence gone. Every morning his wife without fail welcomes us with a smile as she sits by his side.
I don't think one can ever know what to say to someone experiencing such immense pain. There are no magic words that a textbook teaches or simplistic formulas to follow as a nurse. I still don't know how to react in these circumstances. The one thing I have learned in the short time I've been here is that as bleak as it seems to these patients and their families, when I greet them by name, offer a small smile, or simply put my hand on their shoulder, often times they smile back.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Amish Country
On Monday Kalan and I decided to take a little road trip and visit the simplistic beauty of the Amish country.
Before I start, I have to introduce Kalan, my roommate for the summer from Alabama. When I first found out that I was placed with a girl from Alabama, Bethany and I wracked our brains of all the possibilities of what an Alabama girl could be like. My first thought was that I was most definitely going to meet a hick. Bethany quickly stepped in and assured me that I would without a doubt get a southern bell.
Kalan cannot be placed into a neatly described category. At times I wonder if we speak the same language. We are continually having to define the words we use and repeat our commonly used phrases so the other can understand. Apparently her friends keep asking her if she has turned into a Yankee now that she is living with one. She's shocked that biscuits and gravy, casseroles, and fried chicken are not part of my regular diet. The funny thing is... we get along great.
So, after much deliberation the two of us decided it was time to get out of Rochester and visit some Amish country in the area. We passed through acres of corn fields, cows, and manure until we reached a town called Harmony. Population 1080. We visited the tourist information center and found out that most things are either closed by 3pm or never open on Mondays. So we hopped in the car and continued on our way to Lanesboro, a beautiful little town in the Bluff country.
Lanesboro is a wonderful little town that has unique cafes, ice cream shops, and little boutiques with lovely things for sale. It was like a breath of fresh air... a town with personality. We went to a bakery where we met a stoic woman who should reconsider being in customer service. By the time we finished she had warmed up to us slightly. At one point she actually asked where we were from and if it was humid outside.
Mind you, I've been absolutely sizzling here in the humidity, barely able to accomplish anything when I'm outside... my productivity almost entirely gone.
Kalan piped up, "she's from Seattle and doesn't know what humidity is. I'm from Alabama and this isn't humid at all. We're probably not the best people to ask." That pretty much sums up the difference between Kalan and myself.
We continued on our way and visited Winona, a college town that borders Wisconsin. I saw the Mississippi River for the first time. What an amazing opportunity to witness the different parts of this country for the short time that I am here!
Before I start, I have to introduce Kalan, my roommate for the summer from Alabama. When I first found out that I was placed with a girl from Alabama, Bethany and I wracked our brains of all the possibilities of what an Alabama girl could be like. My first thought was that I was most definitely going to meet a hick. Bethany quickly stepped in and assured me that I would without a doubt get a southern bell.
Kalan cannot be placed into a neatly described category. At times I wonder if we speak the same language. We are continually having to define the words we use and repeat our commonly used phrases so the other can understand. Apparently her friends keep asking her if she has turned into a Yankee now that she is living with one. She's shocked that biscuits and gravy, casseroles, and fried chicken are not part of my regular diet. The funny thing is... we get along great.
So, after much deliberation the two of us decided it was time to get out of Rochester and visit some Amish country in the area. We passed through acres of corn fields, cows, and manure until we reached a town called Harmony. Population 1080. We visited the tourist information center and found out that most things are either closed by 3pm or never open on Mondays. So we hopped in the car and continued on our way to Lanesboro, a beautiful little town in the Bluff country.
Lanesboro is a wonderful little town that has unique cafes, ice cream shops, and little boutiques with lovely things for sale. It was like a breath of fresh air... a town with personality. We went to a bakery where we met a stoic woman who should reconsider being in customer service. By the time we finished she had warmed up to us slightly. At one point she actually asked where we were from and if it was humid outside.
Mind you, I've been absolutely sizzling here in the humidity, barely able to accomplish anything when I'm outside... my productivity almost entirely gone.
Kalan piped up, "she's from Seattle and doesn't know what humidity is. I'm from Alabama and this isn't humid at all. We're probably not the best people to ask." That pretty much sums up the difference between Kalan and myself.
We continued on our way and visited Winona, a college town that borders Wisconsin. I saw the Mississippi River for the first time. What an amazing opportunity to witness the different parts of this country for the short time that I am here!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Famous in Seattle
Who knew that I would be famous when I arrived in Rochester Minnesota. I'm practically a celebrity when people find out I'm from Seattle... apparently being from Seattle makes me good friends with the cast of Grey's Anatomy. Living with a handful of nursing students who are die hard fans of the TV show makes for an amusing first introduction.
The conversation goes something like this:
nursing student: "Hey, how's it going? what's your name?"
me: "Gitta"
nursing student: "Dita?"
me: "no Gitta"
nursing student: "Eeeta?"
...there are a couple more awkward attempts at my name until we get that phase of the introduction process wrapped up. Unfortunately I don't have a friend or family member there to clarify the correct pronunciation of my name, but I guess that's what I get for taking an internship in the middle of exotic Minnesota.
The conversation then naturally moves to the next typical question. "So, where are you from?"
When I answer that I am from Seattle, it never fails to get the same twofold response. The first thing that comes out of every person's mouth is "Does it really always rain in Seattle?"
I may be biased growing up in the northwest, but of course my most favorite day in the world is one in which it is raining and overcast outside, the fire is glowing and I am surrounded by the people I love most. We are tucked in and enjoying a good cup of tea, a classic book or possibly making preparations for a delectable meal. So naturally my response is "no, it doesn't always rain in Seattle. It drizzles alot but it is actually quite pretty." Deep down I kind of like making the northwest a best kept secret... if people really knew how beautiful it was I think too many people may want to move on over and enjoy the picturesqe mountains and natural beauty that are characterstic of our part of the world.
The second response I get without fail is if there is really a Grace Hospital in Seattle that is featured in Grey's Anatomy. Obviously there isn't, but I get quite a reaction when people find out that I take a ferry boat on a routine basis to go home. I grew up on the classic white ferry boat with green trim and the words 'Wenatchee' or 'Spokane' written on the side of the big boat, faded from the countless trips across the Puget Sound.
I can't imagine growing up anwhere else besides Indianola, Washington.
Minnesota has its own kind of beauty. There are no forests, the 'mountains' the locals speak about would be put to shame by Queen Anne Hill and when you think you are going to a beach you may be surprised when you arrive at a lake surrounded by grass. However, the large sky, corn fields, lightning storms, fireflies, and kind people with thick accents all give Minnesota a unique flavor.
The conversation goes something like this:
nursing student: "Hey, how's it going? what's your name?"
me: "Gitta"
nursing student: "Dita?"
me: "no Gitta"
nursing student: "Eeeta?"
...there are a couple more awkward attempts at my name until we get that phase of the introduction process wrapped up. Unfortunately I don't have a friend or family member there to clarify the correct pronunciation of my name, but I guess that's what I get for taking an internship in the middle of exotic Minnesota.
The conversation then naturally moves to the next typical question. "So, where are you from?"
When I answer that I am from Seattle, it never fails to get the same twofold response. The first thing that comes out of every person's mouth is "Does it really always rain in Seattle?"
I may be biased growing up in the northwest, but of course my most favorite day in the world is one in which it is raining and overcast outside, the fire is glowing and I am surrounded by the people I love most. We are tucked in and enjoying a good cup of tea, a classic book or possibly making preparations for a delectable meal. So naturally my response is "no, it doesn't always rain in Seattle. It drizzles alot but it is actually quite pretty." Deep down I kind of like making the northwest a best kept secret... if people really knew how beautiful it was I think too many people may want to move on over and enjoy the picturesqe mountains and natural beauty that are characterstic of our part of the world.
The second response I get without fail is if there is really a Grace Hospital in Seattle that is featured in Grey's Anatomy. Obviously there isn't, but I get quite a reaction when people find out that I take a ferry boat on a routine basis to go home. I grew up on the classic white ferry boat with green trim and the words 'Wenatchee' or 'Spokane' written on the side of the big boat, faded from the countless trips across the Puget Sound.
I can't imagine growing up anwhere else besides Indianola, Washington.
Minnesota has its own kind of beauty. There are no forests, the 'mountains' the locals speak about would be put to shame by Queen Anne Hill and when you think you are going to a beach you may be surprised when you arrive at a lake surrounded by grass. However, the large sky, corn fields, lightning storms, fireflies, and kind people with thick accents all give Minnesota a unique flavor.
Monday, June 11, 2007
FIRST POST
This first post has been set up by my roommate's father. His name is Rod, and his blog address is www.hungerisgood.blogspot.com.
You will find in the future that I will change this blog to reflect my own tastes and interest, along with photos that reflect my adventure through life.
You can blame Rod for anything about this blog you do not like.
signed--Rod
You will find in the future that I will change this blog to reflect my own tastes and interest, along with photos that reflect my adventure through life.
You can blame Rod for anything about this blog you do not like.
signed--Rod
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